tijeka

Tijeka is a small settlement situated in the central part of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the Federation entity. Administratively, it belongs to the Central Bosnia Canton and is part of the municipality of Jajce. The village lies at an elevation of approximately 520 meters above sea level, nestled among low‑lying hills that transition into the larger Dinaric mountain system. Its location places it near the confluence of several minor streams, which flow into the Vrbas River basin.

Historically, Tijeka was mentioned in Ottoman tax registers from the late 16th century, indicating a modest agrarian community engaged primarily in mixed farming and livestock husbandry. The settlement experienced population fluctuations during the 20th century, particularly as a result of wartime displacement and later rural‑to‑urban migration. According to the most recent national census, the village has a population of roughly 240 residents, the majority of whom identify as Bosniaks, with smaller numbers of Croat and Serb inhabitants.

Economically, Tijeka remains largely dependent on agriculture, with smallholdings producing cereals, potatoes, and fruit orchards. Limited forestry activities also contribute to the local economy, as the surrounding woodlands provide timber and non‑timber forest products. Basic infrastructure includes a primary school, a community centre, and a local road that connects the settlement to the municipal centre of Jajce, facilitating access to broader services and markets. The village is noted for its traditional architecture, featuring stone foundations and red‑tiled roofs, reflecting the vernacular building style of the central Bosnian highlands.